The program is made up of 20 sessions:
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3 buddy prep sessions (training and getting-to-know your buddy)
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1 or 2 wrap-up sessions (conclusion and celebration)
15 topic sessions (3 sessions for each topic) 1: introduction to topic 2: buddy experience with interactive feature 3: reflection on the topic and the buddy experience
This Educator's Guide provides everything you need to plan and implement your buddy program, including short teacher videos (Welcome to AIM!, About the Topics, Pairing the Buddies, Helpful Hints, and Training the Buddies), featuring classroom teachers who have piloted the AIM program. They will provide you with background, suggestions, and tips for ensuring a successful program. This guide is made up of instruction specific to Little Buddies or Big Buddies (Prep Sessions, Topic Sessions) as well as instruction important for both Little Buddies and Big Buddies (Overview, Conclusion, Appendix). It is important to read through your own section as well as the sections written for both groups. We do recommend you also read through the sections for your partner group so you will be aware of how they are preparing for the program. *If your school does not use an existing SEL curricula, you can use the AIM materials to introduce the five topics to students and begin to encourage peer interactions and collaborative discussions around the topics.
Watch Video #1: Welcome to AIM! This short introductory video provides an overview of the AIM Buddy Project. Watch teachers and project developers describe the AIM program, its components, and its benefits. View the video here. www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/aim17-selwelcometoaim/
Meet Arthur! Arthur is an animated television series that has aired daily on PBS KIDS since 1996. Aimed at viewers ages 4–8 (although watched by both younger and older fans), the series’ goals are to encourage positive social skills and the importance of communication, as well as to help foster an interest in reading and writing. Based on the children’s book series by Marc Brown, the Emmy award– winning show is the longest-running children’s animated show on television. The show chronicles the adventures of Arthur (an 8-year-old aardvark) and his friends and family through fun and engaging stories that explore issues faced by real kids. Arthur has portrayed a wide variety of issues and topics. Children are entertained as they watch the show, but they also learn important lessons about empathy, respect, problem solving, and being a good friend.
5 Big and Little Buddies: About AIM
